Central Massachusetts has repeatedly transformed its economy over the past century and has emerged as a competitive hub of technological innovation, healthcare, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing sectors, with links to institutions of higher education. However, despite its robust economic growth, the region has growing income inequality as low- and middle-income workers have experienced fewer economic gains compared to those in the highest income bracket. A limited supply of workers and infrastructure limitations threaten to restrict the strong job growth that the region needs for economic security. Disparities in wages, education, and training may pose a challenge to the region’s robust participation in the new economy. Central Massachusetts can build prosperity through policies, programs, and incentives that encourage job creation, infrastructure investment, housing, municipal fiscal health, and the attraction of large and small to mid-sized businesses.
How the region grows, and where this growth is located, depends as much on existing development patterns as it does on actively prioritizing the connection between employment and housing. The region should couple incentives with regulations to direct growth in areas with existing development, employment, and infrastructure, with a particular emphasis on areas connected by transportation. This will both relieve development pressure from areas that need conservation and protection and ensure that the regions’ many underutilized industrial sites are put back into productive use.
Strategies
Enhance the region’s economic vitality and improve economic mobility for all.
Increase the production of diverse housing types throughout the region, particularly in transit-oriented locations.
Align zoning with existing infrastructure, economic development, and housing goals.
Pursue large-scale investments to modernize and expand the region’s infrastructure.
Support and enhance the region’s agricultural economy and the viability of farms and farmland.
Data Dashboard
Socioeconomic Projections
The table below shows the census population and number of households for the 2000, 2010 and 2020 decennial census by CMRPC community as well as the number of jobs for the years 2000 and 2010 according to the State of Massachusetts.
The tables below show the population and employment projections for the CMRPC out to 2050 for both the MassDOT Statewide projections and the CMRPC Regionally Customized Projections.
Access to jobs. Difference between 2AM and 8AM. Source: University on Minnesota Accessibility Observatory.
